DiscussMormonism.com

I posted this on my blog, so if you missed it, bc, here it is:

A while back I was admittedly very hurt when someone I know who goes by "bcspace" attacked my blog as being typical "anti-Mormon claptrap" pretending to be reasonable and thoughtful. Apparently, he considers my blog the Internet equivalent of a wolf in sheep's clothing.

I didn't react very well to the attack (and even he would have to admit that it was an attack). For the record, my blog is not about anything in particular, but is an attempt to express what I'm thinking and feeling every day. That it has gravitated around Mormonism is simply a reflection of how much Mormonism is still a part of my life. But it did sting that my thoughts and feelings were reduced to a petulant attack on Mormonism.

But where I went wrong, I suspect, is in taking this attack personally. A friend sent me this little snippet from bcspace this morning, and it has me thinking:

[Exmormons] just want their ears scratched as evidenced by how uptight they are when you point out the inconsistencies in their testimonies. It's a case of not being able to take their own medicine. Their blogs pretend to be poignant yet are intentionally interspersed with the "exit story" a strawman version of the LDS Church. They will be your "bestest" friend until you unmask them.

It is not difficult to illustrate this with just a few posts.

I think people like bcspace really do see things in terms of good and evil, Mormon and anti-Mormon, and to him, I'm clearly in the anti-Mormon camp. Hence, my defensive reaction to him wasn't a result of being hurt but was a result of my anger at having been unmasked.

bcspace talked about his approach as "tough love," and I'm trying to see it that way. It still doesn't work that way for me, but I do acknowledge my fault in taking it personally and responding badly. For that I apologize, bcspace. I hope we can be friendly once again.

You were right to take bcspace's comment personally. It was intended to be a personal insult. Just as this is. Bcspace is a moron.

Why on the earth are you apologizing to BCSpace?!? Because you're a good man, that's why.

But, you have no need to apologize, John. He should apologize to you. BC's insults are personal. He is unflinchingly and unapologetically rude.

Don't let anything that windbag says get to you. It's just not worth it.

My seven year old daughter, Chloe, constantly misreads this board title and calls it "Moron Discussions". Whenever BC posts, just remember that. Moron Discussions. Then, just let whatever he says roll right off your back!

Kimberly Ann

KimberlyAnn wrote:Why on the earth are you apologizing to BCSpace?!? Because you're a good man, that's why.

But, you have no need to apologize, John. He should apologize to you. BC's insults are personal. He is unflinchingly and unapologetically rude.

Don't let anything that windbag says get to you. It's just not worth it.

My seven year old daughter, Chloe, constantly misreads this board title and calls it "Moron Discussions". Whenever BC posts, just remember that. Moron Discussions. Then, just let whatever he says roll right off your back!

Kimberly Ann

That's what I mean, KA. I'm apologizing for letting him get to me. Whether or not that was his intent, I reacted badly. And I am sorry for that.

Hey Runtu:

Since you are now a disbeliever in Utah's financially dominant sect of Brighamite Mormonism, everything you have ever said, are saying, or will say is retroactively, automatically, and pre-emptively false.

As soon as I realized that, my interactions with believers were much more profitable. Once you, too, "know the drill," comments from folks like bcspace will just roll off your back.

Runtu wrote:I posted this on my blog, so if you missed it, bc, here it is:

A while back I was admittedly very hurt when someone I know who goes by "bcspace" attacked my blog as being typical "anti-Mormon claptrap" pretending to be reasonable and thoughtful. Apparently, he considers my blog the Internet equivalent of a wolf in sheep's clothing.

I didn't react very well to the attack (and even he would have to admit that it was an attack). For the record, my blog is not about anything in particular, but is an attempt to express what I'm thinking and feeling every day. That it has gravitated around Mormonism is simply a reflection of how much Mormonism is still a part of my life. But it did sting that my thoughts and feelings were reduced to a petulant attack on Mormonism.

But where I went wrong, I suspect, is in taking this attack personally. A friend sent me this little snippet from bcspace this morning, and it has me thinking:

[Exmormons] just want their ears scratched as evidenced by how uptight they are when you point out the inconsistencies in their testimonies. It's a case of not being able to take their own medicine. Their blogs pretend to be poignant yet are intentionally interspersed with the "exit story" a strawman version of the LDS Church. They will be your "bestest" friend until you unmask them.

It is not difficult to illustrate this with just a few posts.

I think people like bcspace really do see things in terms of good and evil, Mormon and anti-Mormon, and to him, I'm clearly in the anti-Mormon camp. Hence, my defensive reaction to him wasn't a result of being hurt but was a result of my anger at having been unmasked.

bcspace talked about his approach as "tough love," and I'm trying to see it that way. It still doesn't work that way for me, but I do acknowledge my fault in taking it personally and responding badly. For that I apologize, bcspace. I hope we can be friendly once again.

You know, John, you should really consider pursuing a career in the theater. I never cease to be impressed by your ability to assume a role and play it to the hilt.

Just like you have played those radically different characters with your other online monikers.

Impressive. Truly impressive.

William Schryver wrote:You know, John, you should really consider pursuing a career in the theater. I never cease to be impressed by your ability to assume a role and play it to the hilt.

Just like you have played those radically different characters with your other online monikers.

Impressive. Truly impressive.

Nah, I like situational comedy better. Apparently, you do too. :)

Runtu wrote:I think people like bcspace really do see things in terms of good and evil, Mormon and anti-Mormon...

This has been my biggest turn-off to the board as of late. Some of the posters here view these discussions as a matter of right and wrong, good versus evil, some sort of holy war for god. It's ridiculous. It's childish. It's boring. It's making me sleepy. I'm going to take a nap, and maybe when I come back things will be different. Less adults behaving like children.

I want to apologize to Runtu for saying that he's too caring, too sensitive and too sympathetic towards everyone around him. I hope in time he will shed those wimpy feelings in favor of a mean callous style of behavior which, while rendering him less likable, will render him immune to worry about how his behavior effects anyone. I hope in time he can become a model of selfish behavior focused on his own well being rather than pleasing and being nice and decent to all those around him, including people he meets on internet message boards. I also hope in time he learns to belittle people in a cruel childish manner in order to bring balance to the Force that has made him the receipient of cruel and childish actions. And he needs to shave his head too.

Well that's mighty big of you Runtu. However, I was never offended (I never am). I do see your blog (and most of your threads on MADB) as intentionally negative about the Church rather than simply questioning. Sorry, but I calls it like I sees it.

Perhaps it's the company you keep (I appear to be keeping some of the same company...lol)? Doesn't mean you're not intelligent, well-read, or well-written etc.